Container capping machine



Dec. 18, 1951 H. R. AMES 2,578,772

CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. [3: /-/oward E? Hmes Dec. 18, 195] H. R. AMES CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 17, 1949 i iiuauiunli INVENIOR. //04uard 1' 4 /2785 Dec. 18, 1951 H. R. AMES 2,578,772

' CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 9 y g o IN V EN TOR. Howard Hmes Dec. 18, 1951 H. R. AMES CONTAINER CAPPING MACHINE SSheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 17, 1949 INVENTbR. Howard 7? flmes BY m/pdm r 1) any Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT'OFFICE 2,578,772

Howard B. Ames, Lomita, Calif.

Application October 17, 1949, Serial No. 121,746

The machine of this invention relates to means adapted to automatically place a metallic cap or lid upon a container before or after merchandise has been placed therein, and the prime object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanical apparatus for such purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will magnetically transfer a metallic cap or lid from a point of supply to a place of repose intermediate the point of supply and a place of application thereof upon a container, and from which place of repose the cap is lifted and is applied under pressure to a container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to perform all functional operations involved in capping a container which exist between removing a cap or lid from a source of supply and application and the securing thereof upon a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character set forth which is simple, reliable and efficient in operation.

Other objects, as well as features and advantages of the invention may be noted from the accompanying drawing, the detailed description thereof, and the subjoined claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the capping machine of this invention; and,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 22, Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 is a sectional view in plan as seen along line 3-3, Figure 1; while,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the capping machine taken along line. 44, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail showing construction along line 55, Figure 4; while,

Figure 6 is a' similar detail of construction taken along line 6.-6, Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a detail taken along line 7'I, Figure 1, showing a bearing in its arrangement with respect to the frame of the machine.

Figure 8 is a simple wiring diagram of one of the two identical circuits used in operating the capping machine.

Figures 9 and 10 are details of construction not In the drawing the capping machine In of this I im lies- .1 am? h irs mbra W t a 4 Claims. (01. 226-80) frame [2 which is comprised of a base l4, the vertical standards l5 and a horizontal beam l6, while a horizontal, stationary table I! is secured to the standards l5 intermediately of the base and the beam.

An endless conveyor i8 is adapted to deliver a continuous supply of container lids 20 to a rotatable lid carrier table 22 which is formed of dielectric material, and is positioned above the level of the stationary table It. The rotatable table 22 is supported upon and is carried by a shaft 24 which is journalled in a suitable bearing 26 upon the under-side of the table it, and as the drawing shows, the table 22 is formed witha plural number of pockets 28, of which in the present instance there 'are eight, each of which is adapted to receive one of the lids 20 from a continuing supply thereof from the conveyor l8, and these pockets are shaped to conform with the side-wall contour of the lids being handled so that each of the lids being fed to the machine is held against lateral movement and is in alignment for subsequent handling as will be hereinafter described. A disc of 28 of like material lies across the underside of the pockets to provide a bottom support for the lids 20 when placed therein.

A rotatable container carrier table 30 is longitudinally aligned upon the table l6 with the lid carrier table 22, and as shown in the drawing,

is located but slightly above the top surface of the table l6 so as to minimize the amount of vertical travel or movement of the lid transferring device in removing a lid from the table 22 to a lid supporting pedestal 32 upon the table 30.

The table 30 is also formed of dielectric material and in the present disclosure is provided with four pockets 34 which are shaped in the contour of the base of the container being capped, and these pockets receive their containers from an endless conveyor 36. Positioned intermediately of each of the container pockets 34. I place a pedestal 32 which is formed with a top or capping 4B which is contoured in the shape of the interior of the lid to be applied to the container so as .to support the lid against sliding therefrom during the time interval that elapses between the moment of deposit thereon and the time the lid is picked-up by the pressure head 42 for direct application to a container 44.

The table 30 is supported in clearance of the table l6 upon a vertical shaft 46 journalled in asuitable bearing 48 upon the under-side of the table I6, and this shaft is provided with a starwheel 50' upon its lower end for periodic rotational movement thereof. Since the table 30 rotates in increments of Va of a complete turn or through 45 degrees, the star-wheel is formed with eight recesses 5| for engagement by a stud 54 upon an eccentric 52 which is rotated by the action is-obtainedlby forming the star-'wheelwith eight relatively shallow circular recesses 51 which are adapted to receive a like shaped shoulder 9 upon the eccentric 52. Thus it will be seen that the star-wheel is alternately forced through 45* degrees of travel by the stud upon the eccentric when in engagement with one of the recesses SI and that upon release of the star-wheel bythe stud, that the circular shoulder 59 upon the eccentric is caused to enter an appropriate one of the circular recessesT'5'I. The momentarily interlocked relationship thus created between the recesses 51 and the. shoulder 59 holds the starwheel and'its entrained assembly in stationary position during the period required'to apply'a lid upon a container.

Between the lid carrier table 22 and the container carrier table 30, Iplace a lid'transferring mechanism 00', the supporting shaft 62" of which, is located upon the horizontal center line of' the shafts 24 and 46. The shaft 62', which is hollow to receive'an electricalcircuit to be hereinafter described, is supported in a bearing 64 and is adapted to move both rotationally and vertically. Uponthis shaft and in a' plane somewhat above the topsurface of'the lid carrier table, I fixedly secure a piece of dielectric material '06 having ends which are recessed at 68 in the configuration of approximatelyone half of a container lid, and this provision is made to accommodate electro-magnets I0 and II which are partially set therein and to accommodate vertical movement of the lids from the pockets '28 to the magnets aforementioned. Each of the magnets are supported in this manner upon spacers 12 which are fixedly secured to the ends of an elongated plate 14 which is centered upon the shaft 62. The core of each of the electro-magnets I0 and I I is cast with a recess having the exterior contour of the lidto be transferred, while upon the top of the cores of thesemagnets I placeanelectric -coil fIB through ;.which an electric current will flow from leads which extend upwardly through the hollow shaftl62 as aforementioned, and which circuits comprise the leads I8-and80 in parallel circuit connection with micro-switches 82 and83, which are positionedupontheplate 60, and the coils of each of theelectroemagnets and II. A collector ring 84 upon the shaft 62 and brushes 86 upon. a support 88.;uponthe under-side of the table I6, enables an electric current to continuously flow from a source not shown, to the circuitrepresentedby the leads l0 and 80. V v

A vertically positioned. shaft 90, adjacent to and at right angles to the hqrizontalcenter. line upon which the shafts 224,- Miv and 02 are located, is adapted to limited vertical movement. within a sleeve 92 secured upon the. table I6, and upon the upper end of this s'haft'Iposition a plate 94 having a cut-out or bifurcation 96. to accommodate the upper endof the shaft 68upon relative movement thereof, and -in the ends 9Bof thls bifurcated structure I place adjustable tappets 98*and I00 which'are adapted to bebrought' into pressure contact-with the plate 14 when the" shaft 00 i's lowered, thereby depressing-the plate 14 and the attached electro-ma gnets a'gainst the'resist ance of aspring I 02 which encircles" the shaft 62 betweenthe plates fifi and 'Mfsotlrata-magnet '10 or 'II having a lid thereonmay be precisely lowered to an exact position over the contoured head of the pedestals 40 upon which the lids had previously been deposited after removal from the lid carrier table, 22.

The plate 04 is also provided with adjustably positioned fingers I02 and I04 which extend downwardly therefrom and are adapted to depress the contacts I06 and I08 of the microswitches upon rotation of the cap transferring mechanism. under these fingers during operation thereof so that during one complete rotation of the mechanism 60, one of the microswitches is opened to de-energize the circuit to an electro-magnet, thereby releasing a lid for deposit upon a pedestal; while the other of the micro-switches has its circuit closed whereby the other of the electr -magnets is energized to pick-up a lid from the lid carrier table 22 for subsequent deposit upon a pedestal. This operation is continuous when the machine is in use.

Reference to Figures 3 and 4 will show that the shaft 'is provided with .a hinged link IIO connected to the rocker arm I I2 which is fulcrumed at its other end to-the base I4, and that it is provided with a roller II i which is positioned within and which follows the grooved cam H6 upon the shaft I I8, so that upon rotation of this shaft the entrained linkage is raised and lowered.

The shaft H8 is chain driven at H9 by a jack shaft I 20 which in turn is chain or belt driven at I22 by means of a motor I24; Reference has previously been made to the shaft 56 as being in operative connection with the star-wheel 50, in Figure 1 it will be seen that this shaft is driven by the shaft II8 through intermediate gears I20 and I2I.

After the lids have been deposited upon the pedestals 32 as a step precedent to application upon the containers, such application is effected by means of a presser head 12- which is cast or otherwise formed with a recess I21 in the lower face thereof to receive a lid'nested therein. The presser head is supported upon the lower end of a pendently supported, vertical shaft I28 which is guided by brackets I30 upon the standards I5, and which shaft is attached to and supported by one end of an arm I32, the other end of which is connected to a shaft I34 which is guided for reciprocating, movement by the brackets I30 through. which it extends. The lower end of the shaft I34 is provided with. a swingable link or pitman. I36 which is fulcrumed upon an eccentric I38- upon the shaft II8, so that rotation of the shaft I I8 is translated into vertical reciprocating. movement of the presser head, whichintimed sequence with rotation of the container carrier. table 30 is adapted to move downwardly in medial-vertical alignment with and upon a lid on a pedestal to encompass the lid and. to magnetically support it within the cavity or recess I21, the presser. head is then raised in clearance of the pedestal. and upon rotation of the table 30.-through 45-degreesis again lowered for forcible application of the lid upon a container which has .advanced during-the preceding fractional rotation, to a point in medial-vertical alignment with the presser head. An electric coil M2 is wound around an extension of the presserhead: and is adapted'tupon excitation" to convertithepresser head-into an electro-magnet to magnetically lift and support a lid during the interval of movement from a pedestal to application upon a container. The circuit to the coil I4'2- may' be attached to the exterior surfaceof theshaft I28' orit may be extended through the shaft asshown in Figure 1.

In handling lids of certain shapes I have found that if the cavity I21 ismade slightly smaller than the exterior dimensions of the lid, that the lid may be picked up without resort to magnetic power, and that when this is the case thatthe lid may be applied to a container in the usual manner and that upon withdrawal of the presserhead the lid readily withdraws therefrom for the I reason that the grip between the'lid and the container is greater after union thereof, than is the resistance to withdrawal from the presserhead, however, I find that an occasional lid will remain lodged in the presser-head, and in such cases it is necessary to provide means to force the lid therefrom concurrently with operation of the capping machine, this operation I accomplish by means of a probe I50 which in practice comprises a rod which is hingedly attached at I52 to the lower of the brackets I30, and which probe is adapted to enter and to withdraw from having entered an opening I54 in the presser-head 42. A circular disc I56 which is rotatably mounted upon a bracket I58 attached to the adjacent standard or frame member I5, is provided with four studs I60 which extend therefrom and which are positioned 90. degrees apart and adjacent the periphery of the disc. A pin I62 extending through the nub upon which the disc is rotatable is adapted to have its ends bear upon the probe I50 to force it into vertical alignment with the opening I54in thepresser-head. A latch I64 hinged to the arm I32 is drawn under spring tension at I66 to constantly bear upon.

one of the studs I60. -A notch I68 in.the latch is adapted to engage each of the studs in se-. quence of operation and to rotate the disc through 90 degrees. A spring I attached to the probe and to an extension of the lower one of the brackets I30 is adapted to draw the probe in clearance of the presser-head when the probe is withdrawn therefrom. The position of the probe is constant with respect to the vertical, but each movement of the presser-head assembly also carries the latch I64 therewith and in moving. downwardly the notch I68 of the latch engages one of the studs I60 and forces the disc through a one quarter. revolution and in so doing, also rotates the pin I62 to or from the horizontal as shown in Figure l.- r

In Figure l, the presser-head Bv is shown with the probe inserted therein, and this position is identical with that which exists when the presser-head has applied a lid toa container and is being withdrawn from the operation, if a lid should remain in the presser-head, the probe would force it "out at this'time. When the presser-head is loweredto. .pick up a lid the probe is withdrawn therefromand is pulled in clearance of the presser head under spring tension, and for the reason that positive pressure by the pin I62 has been relieved, for in this position the pin has been rotated 90 degrees in clearance thereof, however, as the head is again lowered to apply the lid to a container, the latch I64 rotates the disc through 90 degrees and carries the other of the ends of the pin into pressure contact with the probe which is forced to a point in alignment with the opening I54, so that as the presser-head is again raised after applying a lid, the probe enters the opening I54 to eject any lid remaining therein. If there is no lid present during this phase of the operating cycle, then the movement of the probe is an idle one.

Operation of the capping machine of this inconnection with the jack shaft I20, which shaft is provided with a chain drive at II9 upon the ends thereof, and through the agency of bevel gears I and I2I rotates the vertical shafts 56,

upon the upper end of which there is an eccentric 52 in operative drive connection with the starwheel 50. Rotation of the eccentric 52 rotates the star-wheel in increments of 45 degrees or of a circle, thus the table 30 advances around its cyclic course in stepped movement, each step of which is equal to 45 degrees. As the drawing shows, the shaft 62 is driven in a one to one ratio by the shaft 46 upon which the star-wheel is located, and by the intermediate chain 6| and the shaft 62 rotates the shaft 24 upon which the table 22 issupported in a one to two ratio, that is, the shaft 24 rotates twice for each rotation of the shaft 62. The ratios of movement as above set forth is based upon the fact that the cap receiving table 22 serves two container carrying tables and capping pressure-heads 42.

As the cap or lid carrying table 22 rotates, it carries one of the lids under an electro-magnet 10 or 1|, which being energized, is of suflicient strength to lift a lid from its pocket 28 and rotatingly carry it through 180 degrees at which point the magnet is medially aligned with and is over a pedestal, at which moment one of the adjustable fingers I02 or I04 upon the vertically movable arm 94 is brought into contact with one of the micro-switches 82 or 83 which is de-energized and hence gravitationally releases the lid for deposit upon an aligned pedestal 32. Rotation of the table 36 upon which the pedestals and the open containers are located, carries a lid under and in medial vertical alignment with the presser-head 42 which in timed relationship to operation of the machine as a wholefis lowered into pressure contact with a lid upon a pedestal and upon upward movement thereof carries the lid by reason of frictional engagement with the side-walls of the cavity I21 in which the lid reposes, or alternatively, as shown in the drawing,

the lid may be magnetically lifted from the pod-- estal and thus supported during the period that the table 30 is rotating through 45, degrees under the presser-head, but in any event, as a container is carried under the presser-head, the timed movement of the machine is such that the presser-head is lowered to apply the lid upon an open container, thus completing one cycle of operation. If for any reason one of the caps or lids become lodged in the cavity I21, then in that case the probe I50, which is immovable in a vertical direction with respect to the presser-head, will bear upon the top of the lid and cause its ejection therefrom. Each vertical movement of the presser-head carries the pawl I64 upwardly so that upon a return or downward movement thereof, the recess I68 in the pawl engages one of the bosses I60 and hence rotates the disc I56 through 90 degrees, which motion alternately carries the pin I62 from and to the horizontal, in which position it forces the probe into alignment with the opening I54 in the presser-head. When the pin is in vertical position the probe is free to be withdrawnzunderzspringzpressureziromthespresser-head when-disengagedvt-hereirom seeiFigureoiln Having-y thus:-. described-"my; invention E- in its presentlyspref erred; form, that: WhiChiI believe to:- begnoveliand-;-for WhiCh'JIJSBBk Letters Patent,

number of revolvable: tables, one: of; said 1 tables;-

being-c adapted to receive and 1' convey container caps from a pointx-of: supply thereof, and: the

othemof gsaidatablesa being adapted' to receive and:

E: pedestals; and: meansi operating: in; timed; see quence with rotation .of-ssaid isecondwtablexato ire- 111031855845 container: cap. from; a pedestal i thereon 1 for-application: to a-rcontainerithereon; said means;

.- comprisingra pressurerhead adapted to reciprocal:

movement sin timed; sequence with rotation of thessecond mentioned: table for: lowering there.-

' Of'l'llPOIll; aicontainer; cap. [and v lifting ,thereof in conveyi open-z containers efrom a: point .of supply" thereof,=.said second mentioned. table having a containers cap: support pedestal thereon in spaced,

relationship 1130.12; container thereon; and .an electro-magnet; said eleetro-imagnet beingzrevo'lvable and adaptedto magnetically.lift acontairiencap fromzthefirst mentioned'tablefor subsequent deposit upon saidpedestal, anda presSer-head; said presser-head'being adapted-in timed sequence with rotation of the: second table to be lowered into pressure contact with a container cap upon-- said pedestaland subsequently raised inclearance of said pedestal and thenlowered for pressuriz'ing' upon saidcontainer.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, in which th'e pressure-head' is formed with a cavity in'its under-fa'ce-to receive said container cap in frictional support thereof 'and'wherein frictional re-' sistance to removal of the cap from a container after applicationthereof is greater than frictional resistance-to withdrawal from said cavity.

'3; A container capping machine including a thefirst mentioned tableto a pedestal upon the second'mentioned table; said means comprising an arm having an electro-rnagnet upon each of the ends thereof adapted upon cyclic rotation to be m medial-vertical alignment with a pocket in saidfirst mentioned table and uponrotation through 180 degrees to be aligned'with apedestal upon said second mentioned table, an electrical circuit toeach of said electro-magnets including current'interruptors so timed as to alternatelyenergize and de-energize said electro-magnets for lifting and releasing container caps with respect to said first mentioned table and said clearancezoffitstpedestal and fori'subsequent low.- ering iinzmedial vertical alignment with k a con--- tainer: .for pressurized; application thereto ie-VA xcappingizmachine 'fOli metallic containers; includingzalzframee therefor, ,a. plural number,v of 1 revolvablutables; inn difierential' work; planes radiallys'positioneducap; receiving; pockets in one" of; said: ..tables; radially;- positioned: container -rep-"- ceivingrpocketsin 3&1186001121 table, andinclud-ing; radially-positioned: cap-a. supporting pedestals al.-- ternatingzwith;saidz.container pockets means-to rotate: saidutables; at differential speeds; a cap conveyonlto'. said. first table and, a: container con-. veyor; topsaidia second :.table, a rotatable: shaft: adapted: to I support electro-magnets thereon, in aplane super adjacent said.- cap, receiving pockets and';said,:pedestals, .anwelectricalv circuit to. each of said electroemagnets includinga micro-switch: inieachcthereof iso as'toalternately energize and deeenergize each ofsaid electro-magnets;.alfinger adapted: tozivertical :reciprocating. movement for: each .otzsaidzmicro; switches -:for1 openingv of the circuits; therethrought a1 Presser-head. said pnessersheadtbeing mounted-.for reciprocal movement over! said second stable concurrently: with. rotationsth'ereof: .7 so pas to alternately; be, placed pressurelzcontact awith a cap; uport aspedestaland to. subsequently; apply saidicapounder pressure; to; .a; container; advancedcthereunder by rotatiom ofi lthe table;v and means zto .ej ect icapsirom the pressureehead; remaining-1 subsequent:- to a capping; operation, saidir. means, comprising, a probe'advanced tozand .:withdrawnfrom alignment iv ith c-rannopening inrsaid-presser--,head'npon vertical reciprocation ;thereof said probe being withdrawnclaterallyiunder. springypressure-zwhen clear; ofi said presser-rhead. and. being: advanced 2 undenpressure ofa rotatable fingertoalignment with the opening;.in the presserehead, said r0, tatable fingeribeingoadvancedctoxand.from. probe pressure; position: by: a: pawl carried A in :v direct relationship to movement oftthezpresserehead V HOWARD RLAMES;

REFERENCES; CITED.

UNITED" ST'ATEBLP'ATENTSL Name. Date; Levey: Nov. 9, 1915" Number 

